City Center Cave Churches Walk

City Center Cave Churches Walk, 2 hours, rated 4.74 across 186 traveller reviews.

Overview

This two-hour walk with Passi nei Sassi starts at an arch-shaped fountain in the main square of Matera's historic center and works its way through the Sassi, with entry included to several rock-cut buildings. You look out over Sasso Barisano, pass through the center to Piazza Duomo for a view of the Cathedral's exterior, then head into Sasso Caveoso, the oldest and best known part of the city.

Inside the district the group visits a furnished peasant cave house, a rupestrian church, and Santa Maria De Idris, where Byzantine frescoes are on view. There is also a stop at a barbarian cemetery and walks through various neighborhoods before the tour ends at Piazzetta Pascoli. Entry fees for Monterrone Rock, covering Santa Maria De Idris and San Giovanni in Monterrone, plus the Del Vicinato cave house, are all in the ticket price.

The tour runs in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish, twice a day, and suits travellers who want a structured introduction to the Sassi with a guide rather than exploring alone. Reviewers repeatedly single out the guides as knowledgeable and good at explaining the town's long history clearly, and one described a tour so packed with information that the time flew by.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Don Minzoni 13The group gathers at the operator's central office on Don Minzoni street, number 13. No hotel pickup is provided.
2. Guided walk through SassiA guided walking tour of the Sassi di Matera with scenic views along the way, lasting 2 hours in total for the route described in the listing.
3. Cave house visitA 30-minute visit to a Casa Grotta in the Sassi, a furnished peasant home. Entry is included.
4. Church of Saint Mary of IdrisA 30-minute visit to this rock-cut church to see the Byzantine frescoes. The Monterrone Rock entry fee is included.
5. Sasso Caveoso walkA 1-hour walk through the city's oldest and most famous district.
6. Finish at Piazzetta PascoliThe tour ends at Piazzetta Pascoli in the historic center.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get ready for this walk, drawn from the listing and from what past participants have said.

• Footwear and terrain. The listing asks for comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. One reviewer warned that the tour involves a lot of walking on very uneven surfaces, so sturdy shoes matter more than style.
• Pace and fitness. Expect to be on your feet for the full two hours, with several reviewers describing a route that covers the whole old town. It is informative rather than leisurely, and one traveller noted the terrain might not suit everyone.
• Guide quality. Reviewers again and again describe the guides as knowledgeable, friendly and clear. Several said the guide's storytelling made Matera's history easy to follow even in a short visit.
• What is inside. Entry to the cave house and the Monterrone Rock churches is part of the ticket, so you go inside real rock-cut buildings, not just past them. Reviewers mention both the ancient cave church and the historic home as memorable parts.
• Weather. The tour runs outdoors for most of its length. One reviewer took it during extreme heat and still found it interesting, but it pays to bring water and dress for the season.
• Food and drink. Nothing to eat or drink is included, and the listing lists food and drinks under exclusions. Eat beforehand or plan a stop after the tour finishes at Piazzetta Pascoli.

Common issues. The main drawback raised in reviews is physical: a lot of walking on very uneven surfaces, which one reviewer felt might not be suitable for everyone. The summarized feedback on the booking page also notes that some travellers wanted clearer audio and a slower pace in noisy areas. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, nor are food and drinks, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point on Don Minzoni street. One reviewer also experienced the tour in extreme heat, a reminder that much of the route is outdoors.

Common Questions